Germicide



' Patented May 24, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE No Drawing.

Application May 22, 1935,

Serial No. 22,881

3 Claims.

This invention relates to germicides.

Among the objects of the present invention is the production of germicides having positive germicidal action, pronounced penetrating characteristics, whereby they enter below the immediate surface of the skin, and which also form protective coatings over the injured portion of the skin being subjected to their action.

.Further objects and advantages will appear from the more detailed description given below, it being understood however that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration and explanation only, and not by way of limitation, since various changes therein may be made 30 phenyl-methane dyestufl's which exhibit germicidal action. The rosaniline series of dyestuffs are particularly valuable in this connection, and will be illustrated below by crystal violet.

The volatile organic solvents employed are best illustrated by the group of glycol ethers, and particularly the ethers of the polyethylene glycois. Monoethyl ether of diethylene glycol is particullarly effective and valuable in this connection, and will particularly illustrate the volatile organic solvents employed.

In producing the germicidal compositions in accordance with the present invention, any method of combining the ingredients may be employed, but the following is particularly desirable. 1 gram of crystal voilet is dissolved in each 20 c. c. of monoethyl ether-diethylene glycol, which is to be employed. It is found that on solution of the crystal voilet in the glycol ether, the solution warms materially. There is, therefore, evidence of chemical action, as indicated by this warming or rise in temperature during the solution of the crystal violet in the monoethyl ether of diethylene glycol. The solution desirably is permitted to cool, as by standing. for one-half therein by those skilled in the art without departhour, and then for each 20 c. c. of the glycol ether present, c. c. of water is intermixed.

This crystal violet-glycol ether aqueous composition is particularly effective as a germicide. It exhibits penetrating powers, that is, instead of merely remaining on the surface of the skin as aqueous solutions do, due to the presence of the glycol ether, the composition has remarkable penetrating powers. It has also been-found that the germicidal action of crystal violet and its equivalent materials, is enhanced very materially by the glycol ether, particularly the monoethyl ether of diethylene glycol. A further importantfeature is that a composition of the character set forth above forms some kind of a protective coating over the surface of the injured or wounded skin to which it may be applied. Exactly what this protective coating is due to is not known. But it is not obtained unless the glycol ether is utilized in the composition with the crystal violet, or related dyestuff. These features of penetrating power, enhanced germicidal action, and protective coating are of great importance in connection with the present invention.

The proportion of ingredients may vary within rather wide limits. The amount of germicidal agent, such as crystal violet, present should be sufiicient to give the desired germicidal action for any particular purpose. For general use, an amount of the order set forth above is desirable. The amount of glycol ether present in the composition may vary, as indicated. It is found, however, that particularly valuable results are obtained by having 20% of the monoethyl ether of diethylene glycol present in the composition, particularly with respect to the formation of the protective coating referred to above. Beyond 20%, the amount of the glycol ether may tend to givesome irritating effect. Below 10%, the protective coating obtained is not as good as that with a 20% composition. While, therefore, the amounts of the glycol ether present in the composition may vary materially, unique results are obtained by utilizing a 20% composition.

The glycol ethers illustrated by the monoethyl ether of diethylene glycol is particularly emphasized as a valuable volatile organic solvent for utilization in this connection, particularly because of the several properties referred to above, and also because of its compatibility with the aqueous solutions. This is true generally of the class of glycol ethers of which monoethyl ether of diethylene glycol is representative. The other glycol ethers may be employed, and amongst other volatile organic solvents to which reference may be made are the ethanoiamihes, particularly trlethanolamine. the class of elycols and polyglycols, isopropyl alcohol, etc.

The pronounced germicidal action of compositions produced in accordance with the present invention may be particularly illustrated by comparing such action of the crystal violet-monoethyl ether of dlethylene glycol composition referred to above with merthiolate, and their relative efiects on staphylococcus albus. tive tests have indicated that the germicidal action of the crystal violet composition of the present invention is more than 1000 times as great as that of merthiolate, as exemplified by the fact that while merthiolate inhibited incubation of the staphylococcus albus in dilutions of 1 to 1000 for 3 days, the crystal violet combination of the presentinventioninhibited the same coccus for the same period of time in a dilution of 1 to 1,000,000.

Inthe utilization of the germicidal compositions oi the present invention, the protective coating referred to above does not form on healthy skin, but only on the surface of the skin exhibiting wounds or infected areas. It is possible that some combination with the serious discharge, or with the blood from the wound or infected area may take place. The action of the germicidal Comparaessence composition on healthy skin is to leave a deepviolet stain,whichgraduallydisappears. Whether or. not the-explanationgiven above for theappearance of the protective coating is correct is immaterial, since the protective coating does actually form over the wounded or injured or iniected portion of the skin, and is one 0! the features particularly emphasized in connection.

with the present invention.

Having thus set forth my invention, I claim:

1. A germicide for topical application containing an aqueous solution of a triphenyl methane dyestufi having germicidal properties, and a sumcient amount oi'a lower alkvl ether of diethylene glycol compatible with water to give the composition substantial penetration.

2. A germicide for topical application contain- 

